Apparatus for use with follow-up mailing systems



July 8, 1952 D. JOHANSEN APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FOLLOW-UP MAILING SYSTEMS Filed Aug. 17, 1951 2 Sl-lEETSSl-IEET l ll-l-l-l Attorney July 8, 1952 1.. D. JOHANSEN APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FOLLOW-UP MAILING SYSTEMS 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Aug. 1'7 1951 INVENTOR Lia/144F213. Jm/A MSEN Patented July 8; 19 52 OFFICE APPARATUS FOR USE WITH FOLLOW-UP MAILING SYSTEMS Leonard D. Johansen, Roseburg, Oreg. Application August 17, 1951, Serial No. 242,331

This invention relates to a novel apparatus of' extremely simple construction adapted for use by business concerns to provide an extremely simple, efiicient and accurate means whereby follow-up communications can be mailed to customers at certain designated periods following each time that a customer did business with the concern and which apparatus is capable of handling a filing system fora large number of customers and capable of being readily employed for mailing at predetermined dates proper follow-up communications.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein few changes or removal of parts are required in connection with the use of the apparatus thereby minimizing the danger of improper filing.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherein both sides'of' a plurality of related relatively movable parts are utilized in connection with the filing apparatus to thereby minimize space and enable an apparatus of relatively'small over-all size to accommodate a filing system for mailing follow-ups to a large number of customers; 7

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational'view of the apparatus;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view thereof taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 22 of Figure l; u w

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view through a portion of the apparatus; taken substantially along a plane as'indicated by the line"33 of Figure 1;

Figure l'is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus;

Figure 5 isan enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating details thereof;

Figure 'I is a top plan viewon of the apparatus, and s Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showingcertain of the parts of the apparatus disposed in a'difierent adjusted position.

The filing apparatus in its entirety is designated generally I!) and includes a supporting unit, designated generally I I including substantially parallel top and bottom members l2 and I3 and a reduced scale 9 Claims. (Cl.'12916) an end member I 4 which is secured to corresponding ends of the top and bottom members [2 and I3 and which is disposed at substantially a right angle thereto. The end member I4 is illustrated in Figure l secured to an upright wall surface l5 by suitable fastenings It so that the top and bottom members I2 and I3 project substantially perpendicularly from the surface I5. I

The apparatus l0 also'includes an elongated stick supporting frame 11 including a top bar [8,

a bottom bar l9 and a relatively thick panel 20.

The panel is provided with a relatively large elongated stick receiving opening 2| which terminates adjacent the ends of said panel to pro.- vide an upright bar portion 22 forming the outer end of the panel and which is located at the outer end of the frame l1, and anupright inner bar portion 23 defining the inner end of the panel 20 and which is spaced from the inner end of the frame and from the inner ends of the top and bottom bars I 8 and IS. The innerends of the bars l8 and I9 are disposed between the'members l 2 and I3 and the frame I! is swingably mounted in the supporting unit H by a pair of vertically aligned pivot pins 24. The upper pivot pin 24 extends through the top member l2 and the upper bar I8, which is disposed directly therebeneath, and the lower pivot pin 24 extends through the bottom member l3 and the lower bar I9, which is disposed directly above the meme ber 13 for mounting the frame I! for swinging movement, relativelyto the supporting member I I about the vertical axis as defined by the pivot pins 24.

A vertically disposed axle or shaft 25 is disposed between portions of the bars I8 and I9 adjacent the inner end of the frame I! and is jourpositions by the shaft 25 for rotation therewith nalled by means of stub shafts 26 which extend inwardly through the frame members I8 and I9.

into the ends of the axle or shaft 25. As best seen in Figure 1, the shaft 25 is located on the opposite side of the pivots 24 to the panel 20. A plurality of panels 21 are supported in upright and for swinging movement relatively thereto, each panel 21 being swingably connected to the shaft 25 adjacent its upper and lower ends and adjacent the ends of said shaft by 'a pair of hinges for a file card. Each pocket or sheet 30 is disposed under-one or more pockets disposed thereabove and has its bottom edge protruding beneath the bottom edge of the pocket disposed immediately outwardly thereof. The exposed portions 3| of the pockets or sheets 36 are made transparent so that the name and a number applied to a card contained within said pocket will be visible through its window 3 l, as indicated at 32 in Figure 5. The panels 21 are each of a different color and each panel 2l-alongits outer edge and outwardly of the cardfiles 29, supported thereby, is provided with a vertically extending series of colored spaces 33 which align with the windows 3| and which are preferably colored, beginning from the top, white, green, red and blue, with this sequence repeated from top to bottom. Likewise, the inner bar 23 of the panel 20 is lined off to provide spaces 34 on each side thereof which align with the blocks of spaces 33 and the windows 3| and which are likewise colored to correspond with the blocks 33 and numbered to correspond with the windows 3|, as best illustrated in Figure 5. It is to be understood that the card file 29 is of conventional construction and any other suitable conventional file of a similar character may be substituted for the type as illustrated and as previously described.

best illustrated in Figure 6, the bottom bar I9 of the frame which'defines the bottom of the opening 2| is provided with three longitudinally extending transversely spaced beading strips 35 which combine ,to form two longitudinally. extendin .channels or grooves 36 which are separated by the middle strip 35, which strip is disposed centrally of the sides of the panel 28.

Thev bottom bariil is also provided with longi tudinally extendingupstandingbeading strips 37 adjacent its side edges having inwardly extending transverse partitions 38- which combine with the strips 31 and the .two out/ermoststrips 35 to form a plurality of. pin receiving upwardly opening compartments or pockets 39, on either side of the panel 20, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent. The bottom edge portion of the panel 20 defining the upper edge of the opening 2| is provided with two longitudinally extending grooves'or channels 4!] which are dis posed directly above the channels 36. A rod 4|. extends longitudinallyof the opening 2| and is anchored at its ends in the panel bars 22 and 23 and is disposed directly above and inthe same plane as the center beading strip 35. The opposite sides of the panel 2|! is provided with notches 42, as seen in Figure 4, which open into its two channels 40 adjacent the bar 23 and said panel.

is provided with notches 43 in the opposite sides thereof, adjacent to but spaced slightly from the panel bar 22, which likewise open into thetwo channels 40.

The complementary bottom and top channels 36 and Ml located on either side of the rod 4| are adapted to contain a plurality, preferably ninety sticks, all but one of which is designated 44. The lower ends of the sticks of each set engage a bottom channel 36 and the upper ends ofthe sticks of the same set engage the top channel 40 disposed thereabove. The sticks of the sets of sticks located adjacentthe opposite sides of the panel 20 .are separated by the rod 4| which extends between the sticks of the twosets. The sticks 44 are preferably of rectangular cross section as seen in Figure and are each divided on its outer side into a plurality of blocks or spaces 45 each of which aligns with a space 33 and 34 and is of. the same color as the spaces 33 and. with which it aligns, with the exception of one stick.

46 of each set which is distinctively colored on its outer side.

The ninety sticks of each set are divided into three groups and the sticks of each group are numbered consecutively from 1 to 30. The stick 46 of each set bears a number 21 and represents a season of the year. as will hereinafter be described.

The-adjacent edges of the panel bars 22 and 23 are provided with recesses 4'! and 48, respectively, near the upper edge of the opening 2| into which the fingers ofthe hand may be inserted. The inner edge of the bar 23 beneath and adjacent its recess 48 i provided with a lock 49 including a bar 50 which is secured to the inner edge of the bar 23 and a rigid bar 5| which is swingably connected by a hinge 52 to the bar 53 for swinging movement from an upright position in the same plane as the bar 50 to a horizontal inwardly extending position, as illustrated in Figure 4. The bar 5| extends from .side to side of the panel 20, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

The upper support member l2 and the upper frame bar I8 are provided with openings 53 and 54, respectively, which may be positioned in alignment to receive the shank of a pin 55 having a headedupper end and which extends downwardly through said parts and is disposed between the pivots 24 and panel 2-9 for retaining the frame H in the same plane as the support Likewise.

each panel 21 is provided with an upwardly opening recess 56 disposed to receive the lower end of the pin 55 when said panel is disposed in the sameplane asthe panel or wall 2.0 for selectively latching'a-panel 21 in a position coplanar to the wall 2|].

Assuming that the individual leaves or-pockets wand; the different card files 29 contain cards. one'ior each customer of a business concern, as for example an automobile agency operating a service department; it will be readily apparent that each panel will contain a maximum of ninety-six cards so that cards may be provided by the apparatus! for a relatively large number of customers although all of the leaves or pockets Bilwill not necessarily contain a customer card bearing a number, the customers name and other data in reference to previous service performed on the customers automobile and subsequent services needed. However, assuming that the card files 29 contain such customer cards portions of which containing the-customers name and card number are visible through the pocket windows 3 I, as illustrated at 32 in Figure 4, and assuming that twosets .of sticks 44, each including a stick ct arein position in the frame I! as best illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, it will be noted that the sets of sticks are disposed so that a stick' number 11 is located at the left-hand end of the opening 2| adjacent the bar 23. The sticks of each set are numbered from left i to right from the left-hand stick number 11, 10 to (1), (30)? 5(1)!) ((30)) 1)) (302 (12.1. will also be noted that the stick v45 numbered "21 is disposed in the second series of thirtyfrom left to right of the, opening 2|, this stick being a seasonal stick and representing either December 21st, March 21st, June 21st or September 21st.

Th left-hand stick number 11 represents the present date so that if it were the spring season, for example, said stick would represent May 11th and the stick 46 would then assume the position at theleft-hand end of. the opening 2| on June 21st. it will also be noted that the opposite sides will also be apparent that'other stick spaces may be similarly designated; if desired." The pockets 39. are provided to contain a plurality of pins 58, including pins of colors corresponding to the color of each panel '21; Assuming that a customer has his car in for service on theeleventh of 'May, on

that date a pin 58is stuck into the sticknumber "11 located'at theleft-hand end of the opening 21 and on the side of the wall 20 corresponding to the side of the panel?! on which the customers card is filed. Furtherythe pin 58 applied to said stick is of a color corresponding to the color of the panel onwhich the customers card is-filed-and asSeen in Figure as shown applied tothespace number? correspondingto the leaf 30 of the card file 29] ofsaid' side of the panel 21 in whichthe' card er the customer is filed. It will be readily apparentthat any number of pins may be applied to each stick number 11 on the llth of May anclthat the pins will differ in color de pending upon the color of the panel on which the card of the customer is filedand it will also be apparent that several pins of different colors may befile'd in the same space of the same stick. The distinctively colored spaces are provided merely for the purposeof determining'more accurately and readily the number of the space of the stick in which the pins are applied particularly when the stick is located near the right-hand 'endof the 'wall 20, as seen in Figure 4. Assuming that pins have been applied to the two sticks number 11 at the left-hand end of the opening 2| as seen inFigure 4 for representing 'the index cards of all customers whose cars have been serviced on May 11th, after work has been completed for this day or. before work iscommenced for the next day, May 12th, the lock bar is swung upwardly and tothe right so that by placing thehand in the recess 41, the sets of sticks 44 'may he slid from right to left as seen in Figure 4 sufficiently so that the upper end of each right-hand stick number 12, formerly only partly in registration with the notches 43, will be moved into full registration therewith so that the upper ends of said sticks Nos. 12 may be swung outwardly through the notches 43 and out of engagement with the channels 40 and then lifted out of the channels 36; The lower ends of these'sticks Nos. "12 are then placed in the left-hand end of the channels 36 and the upper ends of said sticks are inserted into the'channels 40 through the notches 42. The two sets of sticks are then displaced to the left by inserting the hand in the recess 48 and so that the upper ends of the two right-hand sticks of each set will then each be partially in registration with the slot 43 and partially out of registration therewith so as to prevent either stick from being disengaged from its channel 40 until the sticks are displaced slightly to the right, as previously described. The latch bar 5| is then swung clockwise downwardly back to its position of Figure 4 for re-latching the sets of sticks in their positions, as seen in Figure 4 and the operation previously described is then repeated. Each day, the stick of each set which is disposed beneath the arrow and numeral 5 of the indicia' 51 is in a position so that a Thank You card or communication will be sent to the customers whose cars have been serviced the fifth day previ-- bus.

This is accomplished by the pinscontained in said stick indicating by their color and by their location in the spaces 45 thereof the location of the cards of such customers by correspondence inthe color of the pin and color of the panel '21 and in the space occupied by the pin and the correspondingly numbered file leaf 30, so that these communications-can be promptly sent with accuracy by merely addressing a communication from the name and address on a card identified by a pin located beneath the indicia 51, designated 5. Similarly, other mailings are sent when each stick reaches a position'beneath the indicia 51 designated 30, 60 and. in the same manner, since the pins are left in place in the sticks as' the sticks move from the left-hand end to the right-hand end of the opening 2|; As

each stick is removed from the right-hand endof the opening 2!, as previously described, pins contained therein are removed and a new group of I pins applied to said stick when'it is located. at

theleft-hand end of the opening 2 I, as previously described. For months'having thirty-one'days,

the'stick number 30 for said month is retained at the'le'ft-hand end offthe opening '2 I for two days and forthe month of February the extra sticks 29 and 30.are' moved with-the sticks Nos. 28 from the right-hand end to the left-- hand end of the'o'pening 2|. Likewise, the sticks representing a Sunday are movedwith the sticksfor the'previous day, Saturday, from the righthand tothe left-hand end of the opening 2 I;- The individual customers cards are also-preferably filed alphabetically in each card file 29 and if no additional serviceh'as been performed at the end;

of ninety days'and if the space in the card file is needed for another customer, the old customer card may be removed and replaced with a card of a new customer.

7 While the apparatus ID has been described in connection with an automobile service -depart-' me u, it willbe readily apparent that it is equally well adapted for use'in connection with'other businesses whereperiodidmailings are sent us-"- tomers at specified periods of time after 'each business transaction had' with a customer.

Various modifications {and changes are 'c'ontemplated and may obviously be resorted-to, with-- out departing from the'spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended l im f I claim as my invention: r

' 'lJAn apparatus of thecharacter described comprising an elongated-frame includin'g' anupper bar and a lower bar, a wall secured between said bars and .ex'tendingi'from an'outer end-of the frame and terminating at. apointspaced from the inner end of .the frame, said frame being dis posed in afV'erticaI;plane; a jshaft journalled in the inner end of the frame between the frame bars, a plurality of panels swingably connected to said shaft and supported thereby in upright positions for rotation with the shaft and for swinging movement relatively thereto, said panels being selectively movable to assume a position. between the shaft and the inner end of the wall coplanar to said wall, a card file mounted on each side of each panel each having a plurality of card supporting leaves including vertically spaced exposed portions, said wall having an opening extending to adjacent the ends thereof defining a bar portion at the inner end of the wall divided into vertically spaced spaces each aligning with sticks being divided in spaces corresponding to the spaces of the wall bar and aligning therewith and with the exposed leaf portions of the card file, said wall having indicia representing periods of time, said sticks progressively movable into registration with said indicia, and indicating elements removably secured in the spaces of the sticks indicating specific leaves of the card files for indicating when indicia on a particular card file leaf is to be utilized for accomplishing a mailing.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, and the spaces ofsaid bar portion of the wall containing indicia corresponding to a part oithe exposed indiciaion the leaves of'the card files, said panels being dis? tinctively colored, and said indicating elements including groups colored to correspond to the color of each panel whereby the color of an indicating element and the space which it occupies on :a. stick will indicate the panel and the leafoi=the card file represented by said indicating element. r

3.'An apparatus as in claim 1, and locking means supported by said wall bar and disposed in said opening for engaging the sticks in one position of the locking means to retain the sticks against removal from said channels.

4.1m apparatus as in claim 3, said wall having recesses at the ends of said opening adapted to accommodate the hand for displacing the sticks longitudinally of the opening when said locking means is in a released position for positioning a stick at one end of the opening in a position to be detached from the channel and to be reapplied-to the channel at the opposite end of the opening.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, a supporting structure in which said frame is swingably mounted for swinging movement about a vertical axis spaced from the axis of said shaft, and latch means detachably latching the frame to the supporting structure and latching a selected panel to the frame in a position coplanar to said wall.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1, a second set of sticks mounted in said opening, said sets of sticks being disposed one adjacent each face of the wall, and a .rodextending longitudinally through the opening and anchored to said wall and disposed between the sets of sticks.

,7. An apparatus as in claim 1, the spaces of said wall bar containing indicia corresponding to indicia on the exposed portions of the card file leaves which are in alignment therewithand being distinctively colored, and the spaces of said sticks being colored to correspond with the colored spaces of the bar with which the stick spaces align, said sticks containing indicia each representing a day of the month, and one of said sticks being distinctively marked to designate-a specific date of a calendar quarter.

8. ,An apparatus: of the character described comprising, in combination witha plurality of card file supporting panels mountedior rotation as a unit about an axis and-for individual swinging movement .relatively to one another and each containing a card-file-including a'plurality of leaves having exposed indicia bearing areas, of a stick supporting member, a plurality of sticks slidably mountedin said stick supporting mem her and ,forming a-set of sticks, means for removing a stick adjacent an end of the stick supporting member locatedremote to said .panels and for replacing the stick in said member in the end thereof located adjacent said panels, said sticks eachcontaining indicia representing a day of themonth and including a sufiicient number of sticks to represent the-days of a plurality of months, saidasticks being divided into spaces disposed toalign with the exposed areas of the leaves of'the card file of a panel disposed in a a position substantially coplanar to said sticks, said.

panels being distinctively colored, and. a plurality of indicating elements detachably secured in the spaces of said sticks, said indicating elements being distinctively colored to correspond to the colors of thepanels for each indicating a specific leaf of a particular card file when specific spaceof-a stick. 1

An apparatus of the character described comprising a setof sticks, the individual sticks of said setbeing distinctively marked to designate the days of the month, said set including a sufficient number of sticks to represent a plurality of calendarmonths, a stick supporting member having means for slidably supporting said sticks therein and for removal of the stick located at one end of the. set of sticks and for replacement of the removed-stick at the opposite end of the set of sticks, means forsupporting a plurality of distinctively, colored panels for movement selec tively into a position substantially .coplanar to applied to a the plane of the set of sticks, a card file supported and a pluralityof indicating elements colored to correspond to the color of each panel and detachably secured in the spaces of the sticks and each representing a particular card file leaf of a particular panel when applied to a stick space.

LEONARD D. JOHANSEN.

No references cited. 

